Past Chair
Since 1996, Barbara Martindale has been Executive Director of the Caledonia Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Born and raised on a farm in Seneca Township, Barbara has resided in Caledonia since her marriage to the late Ches Martindale in 1960. She has three married children and six grandchildren.
Barbara has an extensive background in the newspaper industry. Starting in 1972 she has been a publisher, manager, columnist (For What It’s Worth) of the Grand River Sachem. In addition, she has been Member/Newspaper Services Director of the Canadian Community Newspaper Association and editor of CCNA’s “The Publisher.” Additionally, Martindale has written two books: “Bridging the Past” (1987) and “Caledonia: Along the Grand River” (1995).
Becoming part of the Caledonia Community Foundation flowed through from involvement with the Active Lives Campaign. Her interest in the community, its history and its future is part of Barbara’s personality, stemming from her newspaper background.
She also has extensive organizational work in the wider community. Previously, Barbara was President of the former Hamilton Branch of the Media Club of Canada, Haldimand Norfolk PC Party, and the former Toronto Women’s Advertising Club. In 1985 she was Provincial Candidate for the PC Party. She has also been the Director for the Caledonia Business Improvement Area and Chair of the Ruthven Park Management Committee.
Barbara has been a member of St. Paul’s Anglican Church since 1960. In 1999, she received the Paul Harris Fellow award from the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. As well, in 2002 and 2013 she received the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for her extensive work and support within the Caledonia community.